Steam-trap.



J. A. BUTCHER.

STEAM TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 6, 1910. 1,072,405. Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

'IIVLEV' 1 A wmvsssss; em a 7 i1; f '1 INVENTOR fiw H g/ 1/0 /7 51/70/51? A ATTORNEYS vided near its upper end with a transverse opening 54-, through which extends the long arm 46 of the elbow lever above mentioned.

It will be evident that the rising and falling lever increases in length from the center toward each end.

The-operation of the improvement is as .follows: The steam enters through the inlet pipe 31, and. through the passage 26 passes into the casing, the interior thereof is the condensing'chamber, where the said steam is condensed. The water in the chamberprevents the escape of the steam, and as the amount of water increases, the float is lifted. and the outlet valve 39 is opened, permitting the excess to escape. The depth of the water in the chamber is dependent upon the position 01'? the heat. As soon as enough water escapes to permit the valve 39 to seat, the float cannot descend farther, since the engagement of the valve with its seat prevents further downward movement of the arm 46 of the elbow lever. The arrange ment of the passage 26, which communicates with the chamber above and below the normal water level, equalizes the pressure and gives a continuous discharge of water. Any scale or sediment that-may enter with. the steam will, on account of the shapeof the base plate, settle in the hollow standard or in the cup, and may be blown off whenever desired. It will be understood that the pipe 18 is controlled by a suitable valve to prevent the escape of water from the casing.

The float and all the internal parts of the casing are preferably of copper, brass, or other non-corrodible material, to insure long life, and to prevent. jamming or clogging due to rust. The passage 26 cast with and in the cover, and the packing ring or gasket 25 is preferably of copper. The valve 28 is a vent for permitting the escape of undesirable gases from the chamber and preventing its getting air bound.

It will be evident that the inlet port is at amproximately the center of the float, and that the oatiet port is at a lower level than the float, so that the water in the chamber can never rise sufiiciently high to enter the inlet.

The passage 26, as before stated, forms a separating chamber, wherein the steam and water are separated. \Vith this construction, there can be no possible blocking of the inlet, even when the water is moving at a greatly increased speed, since the steam can pass immediately upward, as soon as it issues from the inlet pipe. i

I claim: a

1. A steam trap comprising a casing consisting of a shallow cup shaped base plate having a marginal lateral flange, provided on its upper face with an annular groove,

said plate having a central opening, a base 7 provided with an internally threaded cup having a lateral opening, a hollow standard threaded at one end into the cup and at the other into the central opening of the base plate, a cover having a marginal lateral flange seated on the flange of the base plate and provided with an annular groove registering with the groove of the base plate flange, a packing ring seated in the grooves, cap screws connecting the flanges, said cover having a vertical passage in its wall extending from near the flange to the top of the cover and communicating with the interior of the casing at each end, an inlet pipe com municating with the passage at approximately its center, an outlet port at the opposite side of the casing and near the base plate, a valve, controlling; the said port, an elbow lever pivoted to the interior of the casing, and having one arm connected with the valve, a float in the casing, rods extending vertically from the float in opposite directions, and a guide connected with the cas' ing for each rod, one of said rods having a transverse opening through which extends the other arm of the elbow lever, the float being at a higher level than the outlet.

2. A steam trap comprisin a casing consisting of a base plate provi ed with a central opening, a base having a.hollow cup with a lateral opening, a hollow standard seated at one end in the cup and engaging at the other the central opening of the base plate, a cover. seated on the base plate and secured thereto, said cover having a vertical passage in its wall extending from near. the bottom to the top of the cover and communicating with the interior of the casing at each end, said passage having an inlet near its center, the cover having an outlet port-at the opposite side from the-passage, a valve controlling the said port, afloat in the casing, rods extending vertically from the float in opposite directions, a guide in the casing for each rod, one of the rods having a transverse opening and an elbow lever pivoted to the casing and having' one end engaging the opening and the other the valve.

JOHN A. BUTCHER.

VVitnosses:

NOAH C. MAY, A. A. THOMSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

